Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Attitudes Toward LGBT Marriage and Legal Protections Post-Obergefell

  • Published:
Sexuality Research and Social Policy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Over the last 40 years, there has been a cultural shift in attitudes toward same-sex marriage in the USA. While there has been a great deal of focus on attitudes toward same-sex marriage, there is less research on attitudes toward LGBT discrimination and legal protections against discrimination, especially post-Obergefell.

Methods

This study uses data from the American Values Survey conducted in November 2015 and state-level data on LGBTQ equality to examine attitudes toward same-sex marriage and LGBT protections post-Obergefell.

Results

Attitudes are generally supportive of LGBT rights though a substantial minority (about 40%) of American adults favor the rights of small businesses to discriminate against LGBT individuals. Those who hold more favorable opinions of Trump are significantly less likely to favor same-sex marriage and LGBT protections against discrimination and more likely to favor exceptions for small business owners than those with unfavorable opinions of Trump. Those living in states that have higher LGBTQ equality rankings are significantly more favorable toward same-sex marriage and legal protections.

Conclusions

While we have seen extraordinary change with Obergefell and piecemeal change with state laws around LGBT protections, it is important to be cognizant of the political and social landscape when trying to understand current US public opinions toward same-sex marriage and LGBT protections.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

Explore related subjects

Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.

Notes

  1. We employ “LGBT” in speaking to the broader community and providing visibility and inclusivity for gender minorities. Within this article, we note when data are available to address gender minorities and the T and when data are unavailable, in which case some specific findings may only address the LGB population.

  2. The General Social Survey uses the phrase “homosexual couples,” but we use terminology that is more consistent with GLAAD’s “An Ally’s Guide to Terminology” https://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/allys-guide-to-terminology_1.pdf.

References

  • Adamczyk, A., & Liao, Y. (2019). Examining public opinion about LGBTQ-related issues in the United States and across multiple nations. Annual Review of Sociology, 45, 401–423.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, J., Georgantis, C., & Kapelles, T. (2017). Predicting support for marriage equality in Australia. Australian Journal of Psychology, 69, 256–262.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ayoub, P. M., & Garretson, J. (2017). Getting the message out: Media context and global changes in attitudes toward homosexuality. Comparative Political Studies, 50, 1055–1085.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baiocco, R., Nardelli, N., Pezzuti, L., & Lingiardi, V. (2013). Attitudes of Italian heterosexual older adults towards lesbian and gay parenting. Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 10, 285–292.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baunach, D. M. (2012). Changing same-sex marriage attitudes in America from 1988 through 2010. Public Opinion Quarterly, 76, 364–378.

    Google Scholar 

  • Becker, A. B. (2014). Employment discrimination, local school boards, and LGBT civil rights: Reviewing 25 years of public opinion data. International Journal of Public Opinion Research, 26, 342–354.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowers, M. M., & Whitley, C. T. (2020). What drives support for transgender rights? Assessing the effects of biological attribution on U.S. public opinion of transgender rights. Sex Roles. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-019-01118-9.

  • Brumbaugh, S. M., Sanchez, L. A., Nock, S. L., & Wright, J. D. (2008). Attitudes toward gay marriage in states undergoing marriage law transformation. Journal of Marriage and Family, 70, 345–359.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burnett, R. C., & Salka, W. M. (2009). Determinants of electoral support for anti-gay marriage constitutional amendments: An examination of 2006 votes on ballot measures in the states. Journal of Homosexuality, 56, 1071–1082.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Coe, K., Bruce, R. J., & Ratcliff, C. L. (2017). Presidential communication about marginalized groups: Applying a new analytic framework in the context of the LGBT community. Journal of Communication, 67, 851–873.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coley, J. S. (2017). Reconciling religion and LGBT rights: Christian universities, theological orientations, and LGBT inclusion. Social Currents, 4, 87–106.

    Google Scholar 

  • Compton, D. R. (2015). LG (BT) families and counting. Sociological Compass, 9, 597–608.

    Google Scholar 

  • Costa, P. A., Carneiro, F. A., Esposito, F., D’Amore, S., & Green, R. (2018). Sexual prejudice in Portugal: Results from the first wave European study on heterosexual’s attitudes toward same-gender marriage and parenting. Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 15, 99–110.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crandall, C. S., Miller, J. M., & White, M. H. (2018). Changing norms following the 2016 U.S. presidential election: The Trump effect on prejudice. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 9, 186–192.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis, H. F. (2019). Translating transgender “erasure” in the trump era. PhiloSOPHIA, 9, 142–143.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dessel, A. B., & Rodenborg, N. (2017). Social workers and LGBT policies: Attitude predictors and cultural competence course outcomes. Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 14, 17–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dixon, M., Kane, M., & DiGrazia, J. (2017). Organization, opportunity, and the shifting politics of employment discrimination. Social Currents, 4, 111–127.

    Google Scholar 

  • Doan, L., Loehr, A., & Miller, L. R. (2014). Formal rights and informal privileges for same-sex couples: Evidence from a national experiment. American Sociological Review, 79, 1172–1195.

    Google Scholar 

  • Drabble, L. A., Wootton, A. R., Veldhuis, C. B., Perry, E., Riggle, E. D. B., Trocki, K. F., & Hughes, T. L. (2020). It’s complicated: The impact of marriage legalization among sexual minority women and gender diverse individuals in the United States. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity. Online. https://doi.org/10.1037/sgd0000375.

  • Fetner, T. (2016). U.S. attitudes toward lesbian and gay people are better than ever. Contexts, 15, 20–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Flores, A. R., & Barclay, S. (2016). Backlash, consensus, legitimacy, or polarization: The effect of same-sex marriage policy on mass attitudes. Political Research Quarterly, 69, 43–56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gaines, N. S., & Garand, J. C. (2010). Morality, equality, or locality: Analyzing the determinants of support for same-sex marriage. Political Research Quarterly, 63, 553–567.

    Google Scholar 

  • Georgeac, O. A. M., Rattan, A., & Effron, D. A. (2019). An exploratory investigation of Americans’ expression of gender bias before and after the 2016 presidential election. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 10, 632–642.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grigoropoulos, I. N. (2018). Attitudes toward same-sex marriage in a Greek sample. Sexuality & Culture, 23, 415–424. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-018-9565-8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haines, K. M., Boyer, C. R., Giovanazzi, C., & Galupo, M. P. (2018). “Not a real family”: Microaggressions directed toward LGBTQ families. Journal of Homosexuality, 65, 1138–1151.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Harrison, B. F., & Michelson, M. R. (2017). What’s love got to do with it? Emotion, rationality, and framing LGBT rights. New Political Science, 39, 177–197.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hart-Brinson, P. (2018). The gay marriage generation: How the LGBTQ movement transformed American culture. New York: New York University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hicks, G. R., & Lee, T. (2006). Public attitudes toward gays and lesbians. Journal of Homosexuality, 51, 57–77.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hollekim, R., Slaatten, H., & Anderssen, N. (2012). A nationwide study of Norwegian beliefs about same-sex marriage and lesbian and gay parenthood. Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 9, 15–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hooghe, M., & Meeusen, C. (2013). Is same-sex marriage legislation related to attitudes toward homosexuality? Trends in tolerance of homosexuality in European countries between 2002 and 2010. Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 10, 258–268.

    Google Scholar 

  • Human Rights Campaign. (2019). State maps of laws & policies – Employment. Washington, DC https://www.hrc.org/state-maps/employment

  • Inglehart, R. F., & Norris, P. (2016). Trump, Brexit, and the rise of populism: Economic have-nots and cultural backlash. Harvard Kennedy School Faculty Research Working Paper Series 16-026.

  • Kazyak, E., Burke, K., & Stange, M. (2018). Logics of freedom: Debating religious freedom laws and gay and lesbian rights. Socius, 4, 1–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kazyak, E., & Stange, M. (2018). Backlash or a positive response? Public opinion of LGB issues after Obergefell v. Hodges. Journal of Homosexuality, 65, 2028–2052.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kreitzer, R. J., Hamilton, A. J., & Tolbert, C. J. (2014). Does policy adoption change opinions on minority rights? The effects of legalizing same-sex marriage. Political Research Quarterly, 67, 795–808.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, D. C., Flores, A. R., Haider-Markel, D. P., Miller, P. R., Tadlock, B. L., & Taylor, J. K. (2017). Degrees of acceptance: Variation in public attitudes toward segments of the LGBT community. Political Research Quarterly, 70, 861–875.

    Google Scholar 

  • Loftus, J. (2001). America’s liberalization in attitudes toward homosexuality, 1973 to 1998. American Sociological Review, 66, 762–782.

    Google Scholar 

  • McVeigh, R., & Diaz, M. D. (2009). Voting to ban same-sex marriage: Interests, values, and communities. American Sociological Review, 74, 891–915.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olson, L. R., Cadge, W., & Harrison, J. T. (2006). Religion and public opinion about same-sex marriage. Social Science Quarterly, 87, 340–360.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pearte, C., Renk, K., & Negy, C. (2013). Explaining variation in relations among intrinsic religiosity, political conservatism, and homonegativity as a function of authoritarianism’s three components: An expansion on recent literature. Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 10, 97–109.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pew Research Center. (2013). A survey of LGBT Americans: Attitudes, experiences, and values in changing times. Washington, DC: Pew Research Center. http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2013/06/13/a-survey-of-lgbt-americans/

  • Pizmony-Levy, O., & Ponce, A. (2013). Framing strategies and public support for the legalization of marriage between two people of the same sex. Sociological Perspectives, 56, 169–190.

    Google Scholar 

  • Powell, B., Quadlin, N. Y., & Pizmony-Levy, O. (2015). Public opinion, the courts, and same-sex marriage: Four lessons learned. Social Currents, 2, 3–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Powell, B., Schnabel, L., & Apgar, L. (2017). Denial of service to same-sex and interracial couples: Evidence from a national survey experiment. Science Advances, 3, 1–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ratliff, K. A., Redford, L., Conway, J., & Smith, C. T. (2019). Engendering support: Hostile sexism predicts voting for Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, 22, 578–593.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz, J. (2010). Investigating differences in public support for gay rights issues. Journal of Homosexuality, 57, 748–759.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sherkat, D. E. (2017). Intersecting identities and support for same-sex marriage in the United States. Social Currents, 4, 380–400.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sherkat, D. E., de Vries, K. M., & Creek, S. (2010). Race, religion, and opposition to same-sex marriage. Social Science Quarterly, 91, 80–98.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sherkat, D. E., Powell-Williams, M., Maddox, G., & de Vries, K. M. (2011). Religion, politics, and support for same-sex marriage in the United States, 1988–2008. Social Science Research, 40, 167–180.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith-Osborne, A., & Rosenwald, M. (2009). Exploring the relationship between religiosity and political ideology among social workers. Journal of Religion & Spirituality in Social Work, 28, 393–404.

    Google Scholar 

  • Takács, J., & Szalma, I. (2011). Homophobia and same-sex partnership legislation in Europe. Equality Diversity and Inclusion, 30, 356–378.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, C. J. (2019). Health consequences of laws and public policies that target, or protect, marginalized populations. Sociology Compass. https://doi.org/10.1111/soc4.12753.

  • Twenge, J. M., Sherman, R. A., & Wells, B. (2016). Changes in American adults’ reported same-sex sexual experiences and attitudes, 1973-2014. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 45, 1713–1730.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Webb, S. N., Kavanagh, P. S., & Chonody, J. M. (2019). Straight, LGB, married, living in sin, children out of wedlock: A comparison of attitudes towards ‘different’ family structures. Journal of GLBT Family Studies., 16, 66–82. https://doi.org/10.1080/1550428X.2019.1577201.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Woodford, M. R., Atteberry, B., Derr, M., & Howell, M. (2013). Endorsement for civil rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people among heterosexual college students: Informing socially just policy advocacy. Journal of Community Practice, 21, 203–227.

    Google Scholar 

  • Woodford, M. R., Chonody, J., Scherrer, K., Silverschanz, P., & Kulick, A. (2012). The “persuadable middle” on same-sex marriage: Formative research to build support among heterosexual college students. Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 9, 1–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Worthen, M. G. F., Lingiardi, V., & Caristo, C. (2017). The role of politics, feminism, and religion in attitudes toward LGBT individuals: A cross-cultural study of college students in the USA, Italy, and Spain. Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 14, 241–258.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

A previous version of this paper was presented at the 2018 Southern Sociological Society conference in New Orleans. The authors thank the anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sociology, Davidson College, Davidson, NC, USA

    Gayle Kaufman

  2. Department of Sociology, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, USA

    D’Lane Compton

Authors
  1. Gayle Kaufman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. D’Lane Compton
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gayle Kaufman.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical Approval

This study uses publicly available data from the American Values Survey. All procedures performed were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Kaufman, G., Compton, D. Attitudes Toward LGBT Marriage and Legal Protections Post-Obergefell. Sex Res Soc Policy 18, 321–330 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-020-00460-y

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-020-00460-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation